Quote from: WillyC on January 25, 2018, 09:21:38 AM

I have a vague understanding of how lightning works with opening channels etc...

The only way I can see a crypto payment system receiving mass adoption is if it can be used exactly as current payment systems are used with the end user not seeing a difference. It doesn't sound to me like this is possible with lightning.

There are 3 things that need to happen IMO:

1. An end user will need to be able to transfer BTC to a wallet on a phone and then just use that money across multiple retailers without having to think about it? Paying using NFC or QR codes.
2. Retailers will need to be the ones paying the fees, as they currently do with payment systems. End users don't like paying fees and they are more likely to use fiat as they see a feeless option.
3. It needs to be possible for the user to pay while their device is offline.

Are these 3 things going to be possible with lightning? My understanding is that they won't be and therefore IMO lightning is not the answer.

Calm down and chill a bit man bitcoin is still somewhat in testing phase. I am sure 3Rd party wallets will be working on ease of use for end users to not even need to know what bitcoin is and how does it work in the first place. When we reach mass adoption we may not even use bitcoin and blockchain maybe other altcoin etc...

Try samurai wallet for Android they enable you in some sort to pay offline via sms. Tho other device have to be connected to the Internet. And please many people have Internet on their phones nowadays and if retailers want to accept bitcoin then simply they could provide wifi free at least. Retailers can't pay the fee because you, the sender needs to pay fee to the heart network. I don't mind paying few cents to send transaction with lightning tbh.